Effect of nano SiO2 particles on the morphology and mechanical properties of POSS nanocomposite dental resins

Abstract

Nanocomposite dental resins composed of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane nanocomposite matrix and 0, 0.5,1, 1.5 and 2 wt% nano SiO2 as filler were prepared by light curing method. The nanocomposite resins were characterized by performing compressive, three-point flexure, nanoindentation and nanoscratch testings as well as optical microscopy and scanning electron microscope analysis. The effects of different nano SiO2 contents were studied on compressive strength, flexural strength, hardness and resistance of composite resin. From the mechanical results, it was found that nano SiO2 effectively enhanced the mechanical properties of the composite resins at low content. With the increase of the nano SiO2 content, the mechanical properties decreased. It was attributed to the content of nano SiO2 and dispersion of nanoparticles in matrix.